In Islam, the grave is considered a realm where
social status, including wealth, holds no significance. Both the poor and
the rich face the same fate in death, being equal in their return to dust and
facing judgment based on their actions in life. The burial rituals
emphasize simplicity and equality, with both rich and poor wrapped in plain
white shrouds, signifying the end of worldly possessions and status.
Here's a more detailed look:
- Equality in Death:
Islam emphasizes that death is the great
equalizer. Regardless of wealth or social standing, everyone will be
buried in the same manner, wrapped in a simple white shroud and returning to
the earth.
- Burial Rituals:
The burial practices in Islam, like using plain
shrouds and avoiding ornate coffins, reflect the concept of equality in
death. This reinforces the idea that worldly possessions and status are
left behind in the grave.
- Judgment in the Grave:
After burial, Islamic tradition holds that two
angels, Munkar and Nakir, will
question the deceased about their faith. The righteous will answer
correctly and find peace, while those who have lived a life of sin or disbelief
will face consequences.
- Emphasis on Deeds over Wealth:
Islamic teachings emphasize that a person's deeds,
rather than their wealth, will determine their fate in the afterlife. The
grave serves as a reminder of this, as it's a place where worldly possessions
are left behind.
- The Hereafter:
While social status is irrelevant in the grave, the
Quran and Hadith mention that the poor may be favored in the afterlife,
potentially entering Paradise before the rich. However, this is not a
guarantee, as the ultimate judgment is based on individual actions and faith.
Hadrat ‘Amr bin Muslim (mercy of Allah be upon him) states that a grave-digger described an incident of his life that he once dug three graves for burying three corpses. After digging two graves, he was busy digging the third grave when he, as a result of intense heat, was obliged to put a blanket on the grave so as to take rest under its shade. While he was sitting there, he saw a wonderful scene. Two men who rode the red horses came and stood near the first grave. One of them ordered the other to write. The latter asked what he should write. The former ordered him to write “A league in length and a league in breadth.’ After this, they came to the second grave, and one of them ordered the other to write.
The former ordered him to write ‘‘as far as the eyes can see”. Then they came to the third grave in which he was sitting. One of them ordered the other to write. The latter asked what he should write. The former ordered him to write “the distance between the forefinger and the thumb.” After seeing this, the grave digger anxiously waited for the arrival of three funerals. At last, a funeral consisting of a few men came there. He asked who the dead man The pecnie told that he was a water-carrier who had a large family to support. Since he died destitute, they had to bear the expenses of his burial.
On hearing that, he returned the wages for grave-digging and requested them to give that amount to the bereaved family. After that, the dead body was laid to rest in the grave. Instantly, there appeared a third funeral which was attended by the few men who had carried the bier. They stopped near the second grave about which both the riders had said, ‘‘as far as the eyes can see’. He enquired about the dead man and the people told him that the dead man was a foreigner whom they had found dead on horseback in a pitiable condition.
He refused to receive -wages for grave digging and buried the dead body, He waited for the third funeral till the first watch of the night. At last, the people brought a funeral. He enquired about the dead man, and the people told that that was the funeral of a respectable woman of a famous and rich family. It was attended by a large number of men. At last the dead body was buried in the third grave about which both the riders had said the width of this grave ‘‘is equal to the distance between the forefinger and the thumb.” (Kztab Dibaj-Sharh-as-Sudur).
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